The aptly named George Dare Dowell served in the Royal Marines from 1849 to 1872. He was decorated with the Victoria Cross in 1857, the highest British award for gallantry, for action during the Crimean War when he rescued a drifting cutter that was in danger of falling into Russian hands. Dowell rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Twenty-four-year-old lieutenant George Dare Dowell earned his place in history during the Crimean War, when an explosion ripped through the HMS Arrogant in the Gulf of Finland.
Dowell was serving on the nearby HMS Ruby when the explosion occurred. Wasting no time, he recruited three volunteers and crossed to assist the ship under heavy fire. He pulled three of the crewmen from the waters, rescuing the remainder by towing the disabled vessel out of the range of enemy guns.
For his action, young George was awarded the Victoria Cross, the Commonwealth’s highest recognition of bravery in the face of the enemy.
In fact, Dowell was awarded the VC by Queen Victoria in London, 26 June 1857, during the inaugural investiture ceremony for this highest of honours.
Queen Victoria distributing the first Victoria Crosses seen close up drawn Jun 1857. George Dare Dowell – 2nd from left.
‘Victoria Cross, the new order of valour for the Navy’. Those mentioned are : John Sullivan – Boatswain’s Mate; William Johnstone – stoker; George Dare Dowell – Lieutenant; George Fiott Day – Commander; Joseph Kellaway – Boatswain; and, Nathan Wright Hewett – Lieutenant.,The Victoria Cross was instituted by Royal Warrant on 29 January 1856 for award to both officers and non-commissioned ranks of the Royal Navy and the Army who, in the presence of the enemy ‘shall have performed some signal act of valour…’. Since then it has been awarded to all members of the armed forces. The Victoria Cross is still Britain’s premier award for gallantry in face of the enemy and is worn before all other orders, decorations and medals.
George Dare Dowell was born in Sussex, England. He was educated at the Royal Naval School, New Cross, and entered service in the Royal Marines in July 1848. His career was marked by bravery throughout, including battles at Hango Head and playing a role in the destruction of the Cossacks at Portsoiki. His heroism in the Gulf of Finland occurred on 13 June, 1855.
George married Mary, the daughter of Colonel Robert Mansel. They had nine children.
The couple later settled in New Zealand, where both died in 1910—six weeks apart.
REFERENCES
Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 31-63789, George Dare Dowell VC, Schmidt, Herman John, 1872-1959
Royal Collection Trust, RL 16806
Courtesy British Library (C12970-05), Illustrated London News, June 20th, 1857
George Dare Dowell
Died 1910
Block A Row 6 Plot 003
